Manufacturer Chevrolet Valvetrain pushrod, hydraulic | Cylinder head alloy aluminum Turbocharger optional | |
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Displacement 140 CID (2.3L), 145 CID (2.4L), 164 CID (2.7L) Cylinder block alloy aluminum crankcase, iron cylinders | ||
The Chevrolet Corvair engine is a flat-six boxer piston engine that was used in the 1960s Chevrolet Corvair automobile. It is a highly unusual engine for General Motors: It has overhead valves, air-cooled, uses a flat design, with aluminum heads (incorporating integral intake manifolds) and crankcase, with individual iron cylinder barrels.
Contents
- Corvair engines fitted to Volkswagens
- Aircraft use
- Aircraft applications
- Engine Serial Number Codes
- References
Given the engine's air-cooling, aircraft amateur builders and small volume engine builders very quickly began a cottage industry of modifying Corvair engines for aircraft use, which continues to this day.
Corvair engines fitted to Volkswagens
A conversion kit was also made that would allow the complete Corvair powertrain to be installed in the post 1967 Volkswagen Type 2.
Aircraft use
Corvair engines, being air-cooled, have been widely used in homebuilt aircraft. Some aircraft, such as the Pro-Composites Personal Cruiser have been specifically designed for them. The defunct American company Hegy Propellers, which was based in Marfa, Texas, produced propellers specifically for Corvair engines.
Aircraft applications
Engine Serial Number Codes
The following codes (last two characters of engine serial number) identify the year, size, power, and transmission of the engine